Oil water separator

ABSTRACT

An oil water composite fluid separator apparatus designed for use in industrial applications in which unwanted tramp oils or other fluids, such as hydraulic oils, with specific gravity less than that of the operating fluid are required to be removed from operating fluid such as water, lubri-coolants or other liquids.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/120,685 filed on Jun. 16, 2014, now Issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,707,494and U.S. application Ser. No. 15/530,141 filed on Dec. 6, 2016, nowPublished as U.S. Pub. No. 2018/0155216 both of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to oil water composite fluid separatorapparatus designed for use in industrial applications in which unwantedtramp oils or other cutting and cleaning fluids with specific gravityless than that of the operating fluid are required to be removed fromoperating fluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oil-water mixtures resulting from industrial activities has producedserious pollution problems when discharged into the environment and evenfor facilities with wastewater treatment systems, the discharge of largevolumes of oily waste water is an expensive and difficult treatmentburden.

Machine parts or heat treated parts are often washed in parts washingtanks, and the washing solution is contaminated with manufacturing oilsand heat treating quench oil and it is necessary to haul theoil-contaminated wash water away to disposal sites or for furtherseparation treatment.

Furthermore, the separation of mixtures of oil and water includeeconomic considerations, and work place safety and health. Contaminationin the parts washing solutions and/or cutting, grinding, and metalprocessing operations contribute to an inefficient cleaning processwhich typically requires secondary cleaning and manufacturing steps tocorrect. The treatment and/or separation of fluids results in an addedexpense and time requirement to the manufacturing process.

Several types of treatment methods and systems have been developed inefforts to efficiently separate oil from water-oil mixtures. Onetreatment method is filtration, by which oil is entrapped by a filterand may be accomplished by conventional methods such as by barrierfilters having bag and cartridge filters, or by membrane filters whichare designed to remove emulsified oil from water. These types of filterstend to clog quickly, and are time consuming and expensive to replace.

Coalescers in horizontal separators is another conventional means toseparate fluids. Coalescers are generally tightly packed beds ofcoalescing media or closely spaced plates, which aid in the separationof oil from water. Typical coalescer configurations are stacks ofclosely spaced plates, angled from vertical to horizontal. The platesmay also be grooved or channeled, or wavy. Under the influence ofgravity, oil separates from an oil/water mixture at a rate determined byStokes law which predicts how fast an object will rise or fall through aheavier fluid based on the density and size of the object and thedistance it must travel. In a packed media bed coalescer fluids areexposed to large amounts of surface area provided by the coalescingmedia. For instance, as an oil-water mixture passes through this media,oil droplets are temporarily held by the coalescing media where they areexposed to further contact with oil molecules in the mixture. Thisphysical contact on the surface of the coalescer media has the effect ofincreasing or coalescing the size of the oil droplets in the mixture. Inclosely spaced plate and corrugated coalescing separators oil rises onlya short distance where it is captured on the underside of the coalescingplates. The use of coalescers can improve the performance of horizontalseparators; however, the coalescers are very susceptible to clogging insome separation processes.

Vertical separators generally involve discharge of an oil-water mixtureinto a vertical conduit, which is generally open at the bottom of acontainer such as a collecting tank. The mixture is discharged neareither the upper end or the lower end of the tube and as the mixtureflows into the tube, the oil rises and the water sinks, effectingseparation of the two different fluids. The cleaner water is dischargedfrom the bottom of the tube into the surrounding water, whereas the oilcollects at the top of the tube. The oil may be collected be means of atube and a pump, or it may be discharged by means of an overflow tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The composite fluid oil water separator is capable of isolating a firstliquid from a composite fluid having a first and second liquid, in whichthe first and second liquid has differing specific gravities. Thecomposite fluid oil water separator can be used primarily to removetramp oils from cutting & cleaning fluids. The present inventionincludes features such as the rotating plastic (or composite) drum formechanical removal, the automatic adjustable overflow tube for raisingthe liquid level during the purge cycle for purging secondary(remaining) oil that gets past the drum, and a water conveyor which isvery good a moving the oil to the drum for removal. Additionally, thepresent invention can be used for the separation of particulate fromfluids in any setting.

Oil water separators depend upon the use of gravity to separate amixture of oil and water. Gravity separation exploits the difference inspecific gravity between oil and water. Conventional gravity separatorsknown in the art often consists of a large holding tank, in which oilrises to the surface of the water. The tanks must be substantiallyturbulent free to operate, and require an additional means to remove theoil. The tanks are filled and as the oil collects at the surface it isremoved and the water returned for reuse or discharged. These tanks areslow, and require very large surface areas. In horizontal gravityseparators, water enters at one side of a horizontal tank, and as itflows to the other side, the oil rises to the surface, where it can becollected. The cleaner water is then discharged from another side of thetank. The oil is typically collected by means of baffles which hold theoil-water interface below the top of the baffle; the floating oil whichaccumulates above the interface then spills over the top and into aseparate compartment from which it can be collected and discharged.

The composite fluid oil water separator is capable of isolating a firstliquid from a composite fluid having a first and second liquid, in whichthe first and second liquid has differing specific gravities. Thecomposite fluid oil water separator can be used primarily to removetramp oils from cutting & cleaning fluids. The present inventionincludes features such as the rotating plastic (or composite) drum formechanical removal, the automatic adjustable overflow tube for raisingthe liquid level during the purge cycle for purging secondary(remaining) oil that gets past the drum, and a water conveyor which isvery good a moving the oil to the drum for removal. Additionally, thepresent invention can be used for the separation of particulate fromfluids in any setting.

Oil water separators depend upon the use of gravity to separate amixture of oil and water. Gravity separation exploits the difference inspecific gravity between oil and water. Conventional gravity separatorsknown in the art often consists of a large holding tank, in which oilrises to the surface of the water. The tanks must be substantiallyturbulent free to operate, and require an additional means to remove theoil. The tanks are filled and as the oil collects at the surface it isremoved and the water returned for reuse or discharged. These tanks areslow, and require very large surface areas. In horizontal gravityseparators, water enters at one side of a horizontal tank, and as itflows to the other side, the oil rises to the surface, where it can becollected. The cleaner water is then discharged from another side of thetank. The oil is typically collected by means of baffles which hold theoil-water interface below the top of the baffle; the floating oil whichaccumulates above the interface then spills over the top and into aseparate compartment from which it can be collected and discharged.

The present invention separates oil from an oil in water mixturestarting with the oily solution entering the coalescing chamber wheretramp oil in solution is allowed to rise to the surface. The oilfloating on water is carried to a drum station via a water conveyor. Thetramp oil adheres to the composite rotating drum and is removed from thesolution. The drum speed is adjustable ranging up to a selected speed,typically up to about 9 revolutions per minute. The solution continuesto flow underneath the coalescing tank and up and over a first baffle,and down and around a second baffle, and up through an adjustableoverflow tube and through a solution outlet port. Oil-free solutionflows out of the solution outlet port and back to the process. A purgefeature is fully automatic. At a pre-set time, the cylinder actuatesraising the overflow tube to a pre-set height and residual tramp oil isforced over a weir and out of a purge outlet port. The feature providesfor the capture of residual tramp oils that potentially migrates pastthe rotating drum.

More particularly, the oil water composite fluid separator comprises aframe supporting a tank having opposing sidewalls connecting to a firstend wall and a second end wall which join a pair of inclined bottompanels converging in the center forming an obtuse angle and the tankincluding a selected level with a fluid comprising a major amount ofwater and a minor amount of oil defining a water reservoir. A pump fortransports an oil water composite fluid from a source to an oil watercomposite fluid inlet. A coalescing chamber in fluid communication withthe oil water composite fluid inlet includes means for evacuating thecoalescing chamber defining a drain and an opening. A coalescing chamberincludes an inclined cover extending from a top edge of the second endwall inwardly over a selected portion of the coalescing chamber at aselected obtuse angle of up to about 50 degrees. The inclined coverincludes a top surface and a bottom surface and an edge therebetweenextending between the opposing sidewalls and defining a weir forseparating a major amount of an oil and a minor amount of the oil watercomposite fluid from the oil water composite fluid when the coalescingchamber is filled to a selected level and the overflow of the oil watercomposite fluid spills over the edge and the top surface of the inclinedcover defining a liquid conveyor. A mechanical oil separation chamber influid communication with the coalescing chamber is disposed between theopposing end walls and the coalescing chamber second end wall and abaffle end wall of a concentrate product chamber at a selected depthwithin the reservoir for accumulation of the major amount of oil and theminor amount of oil water composite fluid from the liquid conveyor. Arotating drum assembly includes a frame supporting a rotating drumhaving a bottom portion in fluid communication with the major amount ofoil and the minor amount of oil water composite fluid contained in themechanical oil separation chamber rotates at a selected speed by amotor. A concentrate product comprising a lighter density liquid oilremovably adheres, absorbs, or adsorbs to a surface of the rotatingdrum. A wiper assembly comprises a blade extending across at least aportion of the rotating drum cooperatively engaging the surface of therotating drum at a selected angle removing at least a portion of theconcentrate product therefrom. The wiper is in fluid communication withthe concentrate product chamber disposed between the opposing side wallsand a reservoir end wall and the rotating drum at a selected depth. Thebaffle end wall extends upward adjacent the rotating drum at a heightabove the level of the concentrate product and above the level of themajor amount of oil and minor amount of oil water composite fluid. Theconcentrate product chamber includes a discharge port for removal of theconcentrate product. A purge oil chamber comprises an inner purge oilchamber baffle extending from the bottom panel of the coalescing chamberbetween the opposing side walls from a first end wall of the coalescingchamber inwardly and upward a selected distance above the level of theoil water composite fluid. An outer purge oil chamber baffle extendsupward from the bottom panel of the tank and between the opposing sidewalls and spaced apart from the first end wall of the coalescing chamberand the first end wall of the tank a selected distance below the levelof the oil water composite fluid. A clean solution chamber is disposed aselected distance above the tank floor panel and the oil purge chamberbaffle extending vertically from a bottom of the clean solution chamber.A clean solution chamber in fluid communication with the oil purgechamber is disposed between the opposing side walls above the tank flooradjacent the first tank wall and in fluid communication with anadjustable outlet pipe in fluid communication with a clean waterdischarge port.

It is an object of the present invention to remove oil at a selectedrate of about up to two gallons/hour when operating a ten gallons/minuteflow rate through the unit. The unit/design is scalable to accommodatemany various throughputs (inlet flow rates) and outputs (oil removalrates).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite fluidoil water separator for removing targeted constituencies from fluidstreams based upon the different densities of the fluids.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an oil-waterseparator which has low maintenance and easy to operate and can beoperated in-line as in an industrial setting.

It is another object of the present invention to remove tramp oils fromcutting and cleaning fluids.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize a rotating drumcomprised of a material which has an attractive affinity for oil and isremovable.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize a rotating drumwhich may be covered or coated with a substance which has an affinityfor a selected liquid or a suspended solid particulate matter whichenhances the adhesion of the liquid or suspended solid particulatematter thereto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a removablerotating drum including magnet means for adhering macro and microscopicmagnetic metal particles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide rotating drummeans for application of charged coatings or surfaces for attractingparticular substrates thereto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means forpurging secondary (remaining) oil or other separated component that getspass the rotating drum via an automatic, electric or air actuatedadjustable overflow tube or weir to raise the liquid level for purging.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize a liquidconveyor (such as a water conveyor) to move the separable component(such as oil) within contact with the rotatable drum.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an oil-waterseparator which has a small footprint and is easy to install.

It is another object of the present invention to capture unwanted oilsin solution and mechanically removes from liquid.

It is another object of the present invention to include a second stagepurge cycle to eliminate accumulated, residual oils.

It is another object of the present invention to reduces disposal costsby removing oil from oil laden solutions.

It is another object of the present invention to increase theperformance and life cycle costs of equipment.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize an oil waterseparation apparatus which provides low operating costs (5 scfmCompressed Air, ½ HP Single Phase Motor).

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus forseparating and concentrating oil from a water mixture based upon thespecific gravity of the lighter fluid floating on the denser and heavierfluid whereby the oil contained in the water solution is processed toconcentrate and remove the oil.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite fluidoil water separator for removing targeted constituencies from fluidstreams based upon the different densities of the fluids.

It is another object of the present invention to remove tramp oils fromcutting and cleaning fluids.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize a rotating drumcomprised of a material which has an attractive affinity for oil and isremovable.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize a rotating drumwhich may be covered or coated with a substance which has an affinityfor a selected liquid or a suspended solid particulate matter whichenhances the adhesion of the liquid or suspended solid particulatematter thereto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a removablerotating drum including magnet means for adhering macro and microscopicmagnetic metal particles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide rotating drummeans for application of charged coatings or surfaces for attractingparticular substrates thereto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means forpurging secondary (remaining) oil or other separated component that getspass the rotating drum via an automatic, electric or air actuatedadjustable overflow tube or weir to raise the liquid level for purging.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize a liquidconveyor (such as a water conveyor) to move the separable componenthaving a lower specific gravity (such as oil) within contact with therotatable drum.

It is another object of the present invention to capture unwanted oilsin solution and mechanically removes from liquid.

It is another object of the present invention to include a second stagepurge cycle to eliminate accumulated, residual oils.

It is another object of the present invention to reduces disposal costsby removing oil from oil laden aqueous solutions.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize an oil waterseparation apparatus which provides low operating costs.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will beapparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the views wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the Quiescent/Coalescent inner chamber which receives oilysolution inlet from process;

FIG. 2 shows the Water Conveyor wherein the oily solution is carried tothe rotating drum for removal of tramp oil;

FIG. 3 shows the Mechanical Oil Separation wherein the floating trampsoils are mechanically removed from the solution;

FIG. 4 shows the Secondary Quiescent/Coalescent chamber which is acontinuation of the Mechanical Oil Separation chamber of FIG. 3 designedto allow more retention time within the unit for separation of fluids;

FIG. 5 shows the Oil Purge Chamber which receives any residual trampoils that was not removed by the rotating drum wherein the tramp oilsare allowed to continually build on the surface of the solution for aperiod of time;

FIG. 6 shows the Clean Solution, Adjustable Outlet wherein the chamberreceives clean solution from Stage 4 shown in FIG. 4 and the clean fluidflows up through an adjustable outlet pipe and discharges out toprocess;

FIG. 7 shows the purge cycle and circulation of the composite feedfluid, concentrate product (tramp oil outlet), purge oil outlet, andclean fluid outlet;

FIG. 8 shows the separation unit circulation of the composite feedfluid, concentrate product, purge product outlet, and clean fluidoutlet;

FIG. 9 shows the laminar flow of the lighter density fluid componentcomprising an oil floating on the higher density fluid component waterover the fluid conveyor in close proximity to the rotating drumseparator;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the clean solution chamber showing theadjustable outlet pipe and discharge using an air operated pancakecylinder and purge oil overflow weir;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an oil water separator in accordance withthe present invention showing a clean outlet compartment, purgecompartment, purge outlet compartment, coalescing/quiescent tank, waterconveyor and a single drum module;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an oil water separator in accordance withthe present invention showing a clean outlet compartment, purgecompartment, purge outlet compartment, coalescing/quiescent tank, waterconveyor and a double drum module;

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the double drum oil water separator unitof FIG. 14;

FIG. 14 is a perspective top view showing the rotating drum and wiper ofan oil water separation unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective top view of an oil water separator inaccordance with the present invention showing a clean outletcompartment, purge compartment, purge outlet compartment,coalescing/quiescent tank, water conveyor and a single drum module withwiper; and

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram showing the features of an oil water separatorin accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, the term “about” can be reasonably appreciated by aperson skilled in the art to denote somewhat above or somewhat below thestated numerical value, to within a range of +10%.

For purposes of discussion, the composite fluid separator will comprisean oil and water solution wherein oil is the contaminate which isremoved from the water. Of course it is contemplated that any fluidshaving densities or specific gravities lighter than that of water orprimary solution can be removed.

The composite fluid separator unit is designed to be used in industrialapplications in which unwanted tramp oils or other fluids, such ashydraulic oils, with specific gravity less than that of the operatingfluid are required to be removed from operating fluid such as water,lubri-coolants, oils, or other liquids having different densities areseparated one from another comprising, consisting essentially and orconsisting of the apparatus and process steps described hereafterwherein the composite fluid separator will be referred by example as anoil/water separator.

As shown in the FIGS. 1-16, the present invention comprises or consistsof a water tight main tank 12 including a primary quiescent/coalescentchamber 20, a liquid conveyor 54, a rotating drum 56 and gear motorassembly, drum wiper, mechanical oil separation chamber, secondaryquiescent/coalescent chamber, purge oil chamber, purge oil baffle,concentrated product chamber 64, and clean fluid chamber.

The processing of the liquid containing the highest concentration ofmaterial to be separated is transferred by a pump 13 through line 14 andport 15 into the quiescent/coalescent inner chamber 20 which iscentrally disposed within the main tank 12. The quiescent/coalescentchamber comprises a generally pentagon shaped tank including pentagonside walls 22, 24, a first end wall 26, and second end wall 28connecting to a pair of inclined bottom panels 30, 32 which converge atan obtuse angle forming a drain 34 at the convergence thereof. A cover36 having a top surface 37 and bottom surface 38 extends from the secondend wall 28 a selected distance toward the first end wall 26 and extendsupward at a selected obtuse angle of up to 50 degrees, more preferablyfrom 1 to 30 degrees, more preferably from 5-20 degrees, more preferablyfrom 7 to 15 degrees and most preferably about 10 degrees from ahorizontal position forming a gradual inclined plane. A purge oilchamber 40 defining a deep vessel with narrow walls is formed within thechamber 20 wherein a top end wall portion 42 of the first end wall 26connects to an inner purge oil chamber wall 44 by a bottom wall portion46, all of which connect to the pentagon side walls 22, 24. A firstpurge oil baffle 48 projects inwardly from the end wall portion 42 at anangle of from 25 to 75 degrees and more preferably at an angle of about45-55 degrees and most preferably an angle of about 50 degrees. A secondvertical baffle 50 extends upward from the inner purge oil chamber wall44 a distance greater than that of the first purge oil baffle 48 and thesecond end wall 28.

Stage 1—Quiescent/Coalescing Process

In stage 1 of the separation process, the quiescent/coalescent chamber20 receives oily (oil/water) solution transferred through line 14 frompump 13 into inlet 15. This chamber 20 is liquid tight and is filled toa selected level so that an overflow of oil/water level occurs and theoil/water solution spills over the top surface 37 of the cover 36wherein the top edge 52 functions as a weir and the top surface 37 ofthe cover 36 functions as a means of conveying the liquid mixture or asa “liquid conveyor” 54. Controlling flow rate and the level of theoil/water solution in the chamber 20 creates a slow moving laminar flowpassing over the liquid conveyor whereby the chamber 20 maintains ahigher fluid level than any other compartment within the unit 10. Theoily solution is forced up to the water conveyor area and overflows downto a rotating drum 56.

Stage 2—Fluid Conveyor—

The fluid conveyor process is best illustrated in FIG. 2, which showsthe oil/water liquid overflowing the chamber 20 and flowing down thewater conveyor 54. The oily solution is carried to the rotating drum 56for removal of tramp oil or other liquid having a density or otherphysical or chemical characteristic which can be utilized to create anaffinity for the separable component to stick or adhere to the surfaceof the rotating drum. As shown, a thin layer of solution overflows theliquid conveyor weir 54 wherein the oil having less density than watertends to float to the surface of the laminar flow which carries thetramp oil to the rotating drum 56. The tramp oil floats to the surfaceand the “water conveyor”, liquid conveyor 54 continually pushes (orconveys) the oil to the rotating drum for removal. The liquid conveyor54 can as an option include an irregular surface with ridges, bumps,dimples or grooves on the entire surface or portions thereof to enhancethe liquid component separation.

Stage 3—Mechanical Oil Separation—

The oil separation process regards the steps of separation of thefluids, (oil and water) from the oily solution by mechanical means. Thissection is where the lighter density fluids such as floating tramp oilsare mechanically removed from the solution. The rotating drum surface isconstructed from metal (copper, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, orcombinations thereof) and/or plastic material (a polyethylene, apolypropylene, a nylon, a rubber, a silicon material, an elastomer, apolyvinylchloride, ABS, or other plastic materials depending upon thephysical and chemical properties of the fluids to be separated such asthe tramp oil/water chemical properties. Most oils have an affinity forcertain types of plastics. This is a point of novelty with regard to theoverall design of the unit because it allows for uses of various drummaterials depending upon the chemical properties of the fluids toenhance adhesion of a selected one of the fluids to the drum. It isanticipated that more than one drum can be utilized in a series in fluidcommunication with the fluid conveyor as shown in FIGS. 1-16 wherein afluid containing three separable components would contact a first drumhaving a component removed therefrom and the remaining fluid would flowalong a fluid conveyor at least one other drum where a second componentwould adhere to a drum having a surface comprising a material having anaffinity for another second component which would adhere thereto and beremovable from the rotating drum leaving the remaining fluid flowingalong the fluid conveyor to be collected for further processing orstorage. Moreover, the rotating drums could be coated with a chelatingsubstance to remove chemical toxins, heavy metals, or other chemicalcontaminants. The drum surface or removable sleeve 57 covering the drummay comprise a film, or metal or plastic material, comprising animpervious material or porous and be inert or covered with a carbonmaterial for absorption of odoriferous contaminants. Moreover, the drumsurface or sleeve material could comprise a micro porous substancewherein a selected portion of the liquid could pass through the rotatingdrum and siphoned off to a collection vessel. The drum surface and/orsleeve could also utilize surface irregularities, either macro ormicroscopic in size to aid in adsorption of materials. Furthermore, itis anticipated that the rotating drum may be heated by steam of hotliquid such as water or oil or cooled by a liquid such as water,water/alcohol, water/glycol, or gas to facilitate the adhesion orabsorption capabilities of the rotating drum features. Moreover, therotating drum surface or sleeve can be comprised of a material having anelectric potential and carry an ionic charge attractive to selectedsubstrates.

The rotating drum 56 is powered by a variable speed electric motor 58which rotates the drum at an optimal selected speed based on the maximumefficiency for adherence or adsorption/absorption of the lighter densitymaterial to the drum. For example, in the process of removing tramp oilfrom an oil solution such as water, the drum rotates at approximately 7RPM using a low voltage gear motor. The gear motor also includes a speedcontroller such that the drum rotation can be increased or, for exampleremoving tramp oil from water, slowed to 1 RPM (or less) depending uponthe need. The drum and gear motor assembly is modular in that it can beeasily removed for repair. This assembly also incorporates verticaladjustment to control the immersion depth of the drum 56 in solution.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the lighter density fluid component, for example,the tramp oil or concentrated fluid product 100 adheres to the clockwiserotating drum and is removed by a wiper 60 comprising a blade of metalor plastic material which extends across at least a portion of therotating drum and cooperatively engages the rotating drum 56 surface orsleeve 57 surface and may touch or be spaced apart therefrom a selecteddistance depending upon the physical and chemical properties of theconcentrated fluid product 100 sufficient to remove all or most of theconcentrated product. The wiper 60 as shown in FIG. 3 is spaced apartfrom the rotating drum. The wiper 60 is supported by a baffle whichforms and inner baffle end wall 62 to a concentrated product chamber 64which includes a bottom wall 66 connecting to a first tank end wall 68of the main tank 12. The baffle end wall 62, bottom wall 66 and a firsttank end wall 68 connect to the first tank side wall 70 and second tankside wall 72. As shown, a submerged lower portion 74 of the baffle endwall 62 is spaced apart parallel from the tank end wall 68 and an upperportion 76 of the baffle end wall 62 projects inwardly toward therotating drum at an obtuse angle. The wiper 60 is attached to the upperportion 76 so that it projects at a selected angle therefrom forcooperative engagement and optimal removal of the concentrate product100 from the rotating drum 56. A discharge port 78 formed in the tankwall 68 is in fluid communication with the concentrated product to drainor collect same from the unit 10.

The region of the tank directly below the rotating drum 56 and in fluidcommunication with the fluid conveyor 54 comprises the mechanical oilseparation chamber 80 disposed between the quiescent coalescent chamberend wall 28, baffle end wall 62 and main tank side walls 70, 72. Theheavier density portion of the composite solution (oil/water) comprisesthe water which will include at least a residual amount of contaminantor in this example the diluted oil product defining the dilutedconcentrate product 81 as shown in FIG. 4.

Stage 4—Secondary Quiescent/Coalescent Chamber

The secondary quiescent/coalescent chamber 80 comprises the immediatearea of the main tank 12 around the quiescent/coalescent chamber 20extending from the tank end wall 68 to the opposing tank end wall 168.It includes the portion of the main tank and is a continuation of themechanical oil separation chamber 80 in that it is designed to allowmore retention time within the unit for separation of fluids. Thediluted concentrate fluid product 81 continues to travel underneath theinner chamber 20, up and around a stationary baffle 82 which extendsupward vertically from the bottom floor 84 of the main tank 12 aselected distance to a selected point below the level of the dilutedconcentrate fluid 81 within the chamber 80. A portion of the dilutedconcentrate product containing a higher concentration of the concentrateproduct will spill over the baffle 82 and flow beneath an oil purgechamber baffle 84 which extends vertically from the bottom of a cleansolution chamber 86 a selected distance above the main tank floor 84.The lower portion 90 of the tank end wall 168 connecting to the tankfloor 84 extending over to the oil purge baffle 84 defines the oil purgechamber 88. The baffles disposed in the main tank provides a means tokeep the diluted concentrate product 100 moving while allowingsufficient residence time for fluid separation. The purge oil tank 88includes a top wall 92 disposed below the surface of the dilutedconcentrate product 81 in the secondary quiescent coalescent chamber 80.

Stage 5—Oil Purge Chamber

The oil purge chamber 88 receives the diluted concentrate product suchas any residual tramp oils that was not removed by the rotating drum 56.In this compartment, the selected substrate for example, the tramp oilsare allowed to continually build on the surface of the solution for aperiod of time within the chamber 88 until the Purge Cycle initiated.The Purge Cycle can be initiated by using a density meter thatautomatically detects the density (or specific gravity) such as theMICRO MOTION 7828 Direct Insertion Density Meter by Emerson Products orINDUMAX CL250/CLW50D inductive conductivity sensor produced by Endressand Hauser, which are examples of conventional density/concentrationmeasuring devices which can be used to monitor the unwanted fluidrelated to the carrier fluid, for instance water, or by manuallyselecting the “Manual Purge” button on the main control panel. The PurgeCycle activates the pancake cylinder on the clean water outlet chamber.The cylinder raises the adjustable overflow tube which in turn raisesthe level in the unit as set forth in (Stage 6). Approximately twoinches allowing the residual unwanted fluid (tramp oil) to overflow theweir in the oil purge chamber and flow out to the oil outlet piping. Thepurge cycle level is preset (but is adjustable) so that no water orother carrier solution other than the lighter unwanted fluid (tramp oil)is allowed to overflow. Thus, upon initiating a purge cycle, anelectronically actuated cylinder 94 withdraws a plunger 96 from acollection tube 98 which extends through the top wall 92 and into thechamber 88 a selected depth. With the plunger in the downward extendedposition cleaned liquid (the higher density water portion of the dilutedconcentrate product) is allowed to enter the clean fluid tank 104disposed above the purge tank 88 and between the main tank end wall 168and a baffle 106 angled upward and extending a selected distance fromand parallel to a weir 48 projecting from the top end wall 42 of thechamber 20. The cleaned product is discharged through the main tank endwall 168 discharge port 104. At a preset time, a Purge Cycle isinitiated in which the level of the diluted concentrate product 81amassing in the oil purge chamber 88 and the plunger 96 rises to blockthe discharge port 104 in the unit 88 and the liquid level is forced torise (refer to Stage 6) a selected height of approximately two inches,and the more concentrated diluted concentrate product comprisingresidual oil overflows a weir 48 and is collected in the Oil PurgeChamber 110 and flows out to the oil outlet piping. The Purge Cyclelevel is preset (but is adjustable) so that no water or solution otherthan unwanted fluid (tramp oils) is allowed to overflow.

Stage 6—Clean Solution, Adjustable Outlet—

The clean solution chamber 86 receives clean solution from Stage 4. Theclean fluid flows up through an adjustable outlet pipe and dischargesout to process. The key feature in this section is the adjustableoverflow outlet pipe. Adjustability is accomplished by using an airoperated, pancake cylinder to raise the outlet pipe to a preset height.This feature is completely automatic and is used to raise the fluidlevel in the OWS in order to accomplish the purge cycle (refer to Stage5). When the cylinder raises the outlet pipe, the level in the unitincreases allowing unwanted fluids to overflow out of the unit. Thisfeature is on a timed cycle and can be adjusted to any range of secondsto hours. Initially, the unit time setting is—Raise level for 30 seconds(raise outlet pipe), return to normal operating level for 20 minutes(lower outlet pipe to original position). The cycle is repeatable.

EXAMPLES

The following examples describe preferred embodiments of the invention.Other embodiments within the scope of the claims herein will be apparentto one skilled in the art from consideration of the specification orpractice of the invention as disclosed herein. It is intended that thespecification, together with the examples, be considered exemplary only,with the scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claimswhich follow the examples.

A Dual & Multi-Stage Oil Removal product for separation and removal oftramp oils from liquids employs boundary layer theory principles forflat-plate, laminar flows for estimating flow velocity profiles andliquid level heights to ensure effective capture and removal of trampoils. The novel design features include a coalescing/quiescent tank toallow free oils to rise to the surface, water conveyance for carryingunwanted oils to composite drum for removal Composite drum formechanical removal of unwanted oils, automatic purge cycle for removalof residual oils, and automatic adjustable overflow working in tandemwith the purge feature.

FLOW VOLUME APPROXIMATE MODEL RATE WEIGHT FULL DIMENSIONS (GPM) EMPTY(LBS) (GAL) A B C B-5  to 5 400 50 16″ 38″ 27″ B-10  5-10 500 65 20″ 38″27″ B-25 10-25 750 125 36″ 42″ 33″ B-50 25-50 900 215 40″ 46″ 36″

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the above identified models, oily solutionenters the Coalescing Chamber where tramp oil in solution is allowed torise to the surface. The oil is carried to the Composite Drum Stationvia the water conveyor. The tramp oil adheres to the Composite RotatingDrum and is removed from solution. The Drum speed is adjustable rangingup to 9 RPM. The solution continues to flow underneath the CoalescingTank, up and over Baffle #1, down and around Baffle #2, up through theAdjustable Overflow Tube and through the Solution Outlet port. Oil-freesolution flows out the Solution Outlet port and back to process.

The Automatic Purge feature is fully automatic. At a pre-set time, thecylinder actuates raising the overflow tube to a pre-set height andresidual tramp oil is forced over a weir and out the Purge Outlet port.This feature allows for the capture of residual tramp oils thatpotentially migrates past the Rotating Drum.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness ofunderstanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in theart upon reading this disclosure and may be made upon departing from thespirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly,this invention is not intended to be limited by the specificexemplification presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to becovered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of separating oil from an oil and water compositefluid with an oil and water separator, comprising the steps of:supporting a tank with a frame, said tank having opposing sidewallsconnecting to a first end wall and a second end wall which join a pairof inclined bottom panels converging in the center forming an obtuseangle and said tank including a selected level with a fluid comprising amajor amount of water and a minor amount of oil defining a waterreservoir; transporting an oil water composite fluid with a pump from asource to an oil water composite fluid inlet; evacuating a coalescingchamber in fluid communication with said oil water composite fluidinlet, said coalescing chamber including a drain and an opening; fillingsaid coalescing chamber to a selected level whereby an overflow of saidoil water composite fluid spills over said edge and said top surface ofsaid inclined cover defining a liquid conveyor; separating a majoramount of an oil and a minor amount of said oil water composite fluidfrom said oil water composite fluid in said coalescing chamber includingan inclined cover extending from a top edge of said second end wallinwardly over a selected portion of said coalescing chamber at aselected obtuse angle of up to about 50 degrees, said inclined coverincluding a top surface and a bottom surface and an edge therebetweenextending between said opposing sidewalls and defining a weir;accumulating said major amount of oil and said minor amount of oil watercomposite fluid from said liquid conveyor whereby a mechanical oilseparation chamber in fluid communication with said coalescing chamberis disposed between said opposing end walls and said coalescing chambersecond end wall and a baffle end wall of a concentrate product chamberat a selected depth within said reservoir; rotating a drum of a in fluidcommunication with said mechanical oil separation chamber at a selectedspeed by a motor whereby a concentrate product comprising a lighterdensity liquid oil removably adheres, absorbs, or adsorbs to a surfaceof said rotating drum supported by a frame, said drum having a bottomportion in fluid communication with said major amount of oil and saidminor amount of oil water composite fluid; engaging said surface of saidrotating drum at a selected angle with a wiper assembly comprising ablade extending across at least a portion of said rotating drumcooperatively removing at least a portion of said concentrate producttherefrom; removing said concentrate product with said wiper assembly influid communication with said concentrate product chamber disposedbetween said opposing side walls and a reservoir end wall and saidrotating drum at a selected depth, said baffle end wall extending upwardadjacent said rotating drum at a height above the level of theconcentrate product and above the level of the major amount of oil andminor amount of oil water composite fluid, said concentrate productchamber including a discharge port for removal of said concentrateproduct; purging said concentrate product with a purge oil chambercomprising an inner purge oil chamber baffle extending from said bottompanel of said coalescing chamber between said opposing side walls from afirst end wall of said coalescing chamber inwardly and upward a selecteddistance above the level of the oil water composite fluid and an outerpurge oil chamber baffle extending upward from said bottom panel of saidtank and between said opposing side walls and spaced apart from saidfirst end wall of said coalescing chamber and said first end wall ofsaid tank a selected distance below the level of the oil water compositefluid; forming a clean solution chamber disposed at a selected distanceabove said tank floor panel and said oil purge chamber baffle extendingvertically from a bottom of said clean solution chamber; and providing aclean solution chamber in fluid communication with said oil purgechamber disposed between said opposing side walls above said tank flooradjacent said first tank wall and in fluid communication with anadjustable outlet pipe in fluid communication with a clean waterdischarge port.